According to a 2011 report published by the National Center for Health Statistics, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both genders and for all ethnicities of individuals living in the United States. In fact, 25 percent of deaths yearly are attributed to this. Not only does this make cardiovascular disease a major contributor to health care costs throughout the country, but also it makes it a viable concern for you no matter your age, gender or ethnicity. While the majority of those diagnosed with coronary heart disease are well past middle-age, this is actually a chronic disease that begins in the teenage years, and the possible causes are many.
Coronary heart disease may begin due to numerous factors, such as family history, genetics and lifestyle choices. Understanding what can cause the disease and other types of cardiovascular or heart disease can help you prevent these dangerous killers yourself.
The possible causes of coronary heart disease can be placed into two main categories. The first is uncontrollable risk factors and includes those causes of disease that you cannot change. For example, you cannot change your age, yet as you get older, your risk for being diagnosed with heart disease rises significantly. Gender is another uncontrollable risk factor. In general, men are more at risk of being diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a woman’s risk rises significantly following menopause due to hormonal changes. Additionally, those who have a family history of heart disease are more likely to be diagnosed themselves. The risk is highest if a family member was diagnosed before the age of 65.
On the other hand, there are many coronary heart disease risk factors that you can control. If you smoke or are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, your risk goes up significantly. You are also at an increased risk if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high LDL levels or diabetes. Excessive weight gain may also be a possible cause.
You do not want to bury your head in the sand when it comes to coronary heart disease or any type of heart disease. Knowledge is power and will help you live a healthy life and get the medical help you need to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Make an appointment at Cardiac Associates of North Jersey in Oakland to make sure your health is top-notch. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
43 Yawpo Ave
Oakland, NJ 07436
Phone: 201-337-0066
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
